Is Consumption Contagious? And Can It Be Transmitted by Means of Food? (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

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Excerpt from Is Consumption Contagious? And Can It Be Transmitted by Means of Food?

Some physicians, like the well-known Frenchman Dr. Pidoux, have been known to say: Well, even if consumption is contagious, we ought not to terrify people by telling them of it, for, if they find it out, they will turn with loathing from their best friends when taken sick, as if they had the leprosy, and con sumptives will thus be left to perish miserably in great neglect. Shame on the man who could for a moment entertain such villanous opinions! Does a mother neglect her child because it has such a contagious disease as scarlet fever or diphtheria? Does a wife refuse to provide suitable care for her husband, even if he has such a loathsome aflection as the small-pox? Again, is it any kindness to people to lie to them and tell them there is no danger from contagious diseases, when we know there is or may be danger? No; let us be honest with them, and tell them our convictions, our opinions, or even our suspicions, if they rise no higher in the scale, that they may be able intelligently to take due precautions. Even if we run the risk of frightening them unnecessarily, we should not with hold the truth at any hazard. However, as far as our knowledge extends at present, they need not be fright ened at all, if they will only take the proper precautions.

In order to arrive at the trnt/t as nearly as possible, and to avoid every appearance of distortion, I have tried to present both sides of the argument, derived from all accessible sources, in an impartial manner, often quoting the very words of the authorities drawn upon. If myonly object had been to prove contagion, it would have been comparatively easy to work up a one-sided argument in favor of the doctrine, carefully concealing everything that has been or might be said in opposition.

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